It's been two days now since my mother died, and I'm just beginning to plumb the depths of the hole her absence leaves in my heart. I know that this will take much more than two days to discover - in fact, I still can't really believe it's true.In the days leading up to her death, as her lucid periods became shorter and less frequent, and her periods of physical discomfort became greater and more frequent, I longed for her death to arrive soon. I'm not ashamed or embarrassed to admit it. It was hard. Terribly, horribly hard. It was... More »

Have you ever noticed how much more ambitious, motivated and accomplished you are in the mornings? I mean, maybe it's just me, but I find that I wake up every day with a fresh new outlook - and let's quote us some Holly Hobbie here folks - "today can be the start of something good". I know, hokey, innit? But for me it's true. I usually have a few minutes of peace each morning to lay abed and ponder the day ahead. And I'm always frightfully optimistic. I list out the many great things I'll do, and I feel encouraged... More »